Prof. Onwualu Urges Researchers To Drive Impactful Research Outcomes
The President of the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja, Prof. Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, FAS has called on researchers in various fields to concentrate more on researches that have impactful outcomes.
Prof. Onwualu made the call while declaring open a one-day capacity-building seminar titled "Unlocking Opportunities Through Horizon Europe:Pathways For AUST and African Researchers" held at the NNPC hall of the university on Thursday, December 4, 2025.
Represented by Dr. Abdulhakeem Bello, Acting Vice President ( Academic) and Director, Academic Planning, the AUST President charged researchers, scholars, diplomats and innovation experts to explore Africa's participation in Horizon Europe, the world's largest research and innovation funding programme.
According to him "With a total budget of €95.5 billion, Horizon Europe presents vast opportunities for African researchers to participate in multinational consortia, access substantial funding, and contribute to global scientific advancement.
He stressed that the seminar is not only relevant but timely and encouraged students and researchers to participate with utmost curiosity, ambition and confidence.
The AUST President expressed his appreciation to the organizers for their commitment in strengthening research capacity within the university
In her welcome address, the Acting Director of Research, Innovation and Chair of the Research and Grants Committee, Dr. Eunice Ngozi Akpala-Okoroafor, expressed her gratitude to the AUST President for approving this seminar and for sending a representative in his place.
She stated that hosting the seminar in AUST is a true attestation of the commitment of the university in empowering its researchers for global funding opportunities through enhanced awareness and capacity-building initiatives.
The event featured a strong lineup of local and international experts, including: Juan Diego Martin – First Secretary, Embassy of Spain, Abuja ,Prof. Michael Faborode – Lead National Contact Point (Nigeria) for the Horizon Europe Programme and former Vice Chancellor, OAU, Ile-Ife, Dr. Christian Violi – European Projects Lead, Canadian Chamber (Italy) and CEO, Novareckon, Dr. Maruf Sanni – NACETEM and National Contact Point, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA).
During the seminar, participants received an in-depth introduction to the structure and pillars of Horizon Europe, including its funding mechanisms and the specific opportunities available to African researchers. Presenters walked attendees through the application requirements and proposal templates, offering practical advice on how to develop competitive submissions.
Speakers also discussed the Horizon Europe Africa Initiative, shedding light on the avenues it provides for African institutions to collaborate with European partners. They explained the importance of understanding call conditions, eligibility rules, and budgetary expectations when preparing proposals.
Another major focus was on building strong international partnerships. Experts emphasized the need for African and EU researchers to jointly form consortia and co-develop proposals—a key strategy for increasing success rates in Horizon Europe applications. Participants were encouraged to leverage institutional strengths, form multidisciplinary teams, and communicate research relevance clearly when approaching potential partners.
Through these discussions, the seminar reinforced AUST’s commitment to enhancing research excellence, broadening opportunities for African scholars, and positioning the university as a strategic contributor to global scientific innovation.
The event ended with an interactive Q&A session and networking period, giving participants the chance to seek tailored guidance and explore collaboration opportunities.